The two nations worked closely together over the United Nations Security Council's drafting of resolution 1718 following the test. And State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan relayed messages from President Hu Jintao to Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow, according to Russian Ambassador to China Sergey Razov.

He did not specify what sanctions Russia is prepared to enforce on the DPRK, but said the Security Council would set up a special sanctions committee to decide.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hui said China and Russia had reached a general consensus on the issue, insisting on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the resumption of the Six-Party Talks, which both nations are members of.

The two diplomats made the remarks at a joint press conference hosted by the State Council Information Office yesterday.

Year of Russia ends

They said China and Russia will hold a closing ceremony for the Year of Russia in China on the evening of November 9, on the sidelines of the 11th meeting between the Chinese premier and Russian prime minister, which will be held from November 9 to 10 in Beijing.

Premier Wen Jiabao and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov will attend the closing ceremony.

According to Li, a series of activities including the National Exhibition on Russia and the Sino-Russian Investment Promotion Week will be held during the prime minister's visit.

The National Exhibition on Russia, with more than 500 displays, will include cutting-edge products and technologies from the nation's high-tech industries.

The Sino-Russian Investment Promotion Week will also start on November 9, said Li.

In 2004 and 2005, the previous two sessions on investment promotion were held, with 19 project agreements or letters of intent signed and China committing investment of US$2.15 billion.

Since the Year of Russia in China started, more than 200 activities have been held, with more than 500,000 Chinese participants. The activities are designed to boost the partnership between China and Russia, said Li.

In the past nine months, bilateral trade has reached US$24.64 billion, up 18.8 per cent over the same period of last year. It is expected to reach US$36 billion by the end of this year, said Li.

Razov said that the Russian Government had allocated US$12.5 million to support the Year of Russia in China and more than 400 delegations have visited China so far.

The two countries are already planning the Year of China in Russia for next year.

The two prime ministers plan to publish a joint communiqu after their meeting and sign a series of agreements on bilateral co-operation, according to Li.